At the time of lunch in Europe, the two 20km races valid for the title of European Champion U23 took place in Gavle (SWE).
Both races were held with the new rule with a penalty on the third red card (in our case of 2 minutes as it is an event on 20km).
20km women
First 5 km
Immediately in the head a group composed of Ayse Tekdal (TUR), Clemente Beretta (FRA), Marina Pena (ESP), Yana Smerdova (ANA), Eloise Terrec (FRA) and Teresa Zurek (GER) who moved to 1km in 4:54 .
A few meters away are Olga Niedzialek (POL), Sofia Alikanioti (GRE), Ansia Chamosa (ESP).
Ayse Tekdal (TUR) continues to lead the group which at 2km passes in 9:29 (4:35) with a few meters of advantage over the followers (Smerdova, Beretta, Zurek, Pena and Terrec).
Clemence Beretta already has two red cards in its charge due to lack of contact.
At 3km Tekdal passes in 14:03 (4:34) followed by Smerdova (14:05) and 10“ after by Zurek, Beretta, Pena and Terrec.
At 4km: Tekdal 18:37 (4:34) followed by Smerdova (18:46) and Terrec (18:56), Zurek and Pena. Clemente Beretta was disqualified with four red cards per contact.
At 5km: Tekdal is leading in 23:15 (4:38) followed by Smerdova (18:46) and Terrec, Zurek and Pena (23:41).
Second 5 km
At 6km: the situation does not change; Tekdal (27:52 - 4:37), Smerdova (28:20), Terrec and Zurek (28:27)
At 7km: Tekdal's advantage is over 30" (32:26 - 4:34) on Smerdova (33:09). The other three follow at 33:15. Olga Niedzialek (POL) follows in 33:30.
The technical situation sees Maria Santos Bernardo (POR) with 2 red cards, and in the leading group Teresa Zurek with one red card. Italian Barcella and Farina (UKR) and Montejo (ESP) also have one red card.
At 8 km: Tekdal 37:02 (4:36) Smerdova (38:00) Pena and Zurek (38:07), Terrec (38:07) and Niedzialek (38:14)
At 9km: the advantage of the Turkish one touches 1:30. Ayse tekdal currently has the race in hand (41:37 - 4:35) Marina Pena catched Yana Smerdona (42:54) while there are Terrec (42:59) on Zurek (43:00) and Niedzialek (43 : 01)
Halfway through the race: Ayse Tekdal (TUR) in 46:14 (4:27), Pena and Smerdova (47:45) while Niedzialek (47:50) passed Terrec and Zurek (47:57)
Third 5 km
At 11km: Ayse Tekdal (TUR) in 50:51 (4:37). Niedzialek (52:37) has reached and exceeded Pena and Smerdova (52:38), but has a red card against him due to loss of contact. We believe that the race has already been completed for the victory. Instead the fight for the other medals seems interesting.
At 12km: Tek from 55:30 (4:49). Niedzialek and Pena (57:22) followed by Smerdova (57:24). Behind Chamosa (58:04) has passed Zurek and Terrec (58:05). The Portuguese Maria Santos Bernardo was disqualified.
At 13km: Tekdal in 1:00:10 (4:40). Niedzialek (1:02:05) gain some seconds to Pena (1:02:11). Follows Smerdova (1:02:14) and Antia Chamosa (1:02:58) who detached Zurek (1:03:10) and Terrec (1:03:22)
At 14km: Tekdal in 1:04:53 (4:43). Niedzialek (1:06:50) is followed at 7 "by Yana Smerdova (1:06:57) who is returning to the medal race. Behind the two Spaniards: Pena (1:07:12) and Chamosa (1:07:55).
At 15km: Tekdal in 1:09:36 (4:43) looks like a steamroller rather than a chronometer for how to ring the laps. Behind Olga Niedzialek (POL) in 1:11:37. But for him the technical situation becomes heavy: two red cards for contact. For the bronze, Yana Smerdova (1:11:44) seems to have blunted it on Marina Pena (1: 12.: 17). Follow Antia Chamosa (1:12:52)
Last 5 km
At 16km: Tekdal 1:14:21 (4:45). Follow Olga Niedzialek (1:11:37) and Yana Smerdova (1:16:35). Fourth Marina penalty (1:17:15) followed by Antia Chamosa (1:17:49). Sofia Alikanioti (GRE) in 1:18:38 and Lidia Barcella (ITA) in 1:18:40 who passed Teresa Zurek (1:18:43) are made brilliantly.
At 17km: Tekdal 1:19:21 (5:00). A kilometer of breath for the Turkish who wants to savor the pleasure of victory. Olga Niedzialek and Yana Smerdova (1:21:23) follow together for over 2 minutes. Marina Pena is fourth in 1:22:15, followed by Antia Chamosa (1:22:47). Very good Lidia Barcella (1:23:32) to overcome and distance Sofia Alikanioti (1:23:49).
At 18km: Tekdal 1:23:33 (5:12). Fatigue begins to be felt and the steamroller loses a few strokes. For the silver Olga Niedzialek (1:26:18) earns a few seconds on Yana Smerdova (1:26:20). Marina Pena is fourth in 1:27:20, followed by Antia Chamosa (1:27:44). Lidia Barcella follows (1:28:25).
At 19km: Ayse Tekdal 1:29:36 (5:03), fatigued, but in the lead from the start in a race so far exciting. Only 5" divide Olga Niedzialek (1:31:13) and Yana Smerdova (1:31:18), silver will be decided in the last 1,000m. Marina Pena is fourth in 1:32:19, followed by Antia Chamosa (1:32:41). Lidia Barcella follows (1:33:19).
Victory to Ayse Tekdal (TUR) in 1:34:47 with the last km in 5:11
Silver to Olga Niedzialek (POL) in 1:35:54
Bronze to Yana Smerdova (ANA) in 1:35:58 who gets his season best.
Fourth place in Marina Pena (ESP) in 1:37:12
Fifth place in Antia Chamosa (ESP) in 1:37:34
Sixth place to Lidia Barcella (ITA) in 1:38:05
Seventh place in Sofia Alikanioti (GRE) in 1:39:11 getting his personal best
Eighth place to Teresa Zurek (GER) in 1:39:41
20km men
First 5 km
At 1km: Gabriel Bordier (FRA) is leading a large group of athletes in 4:18. He is followed by Giacomo Brandi (ITA) and Niccolò Coppini (ITA), Vasiliy Mizinov (ANA), Viktor Shumik (UKR), Yeordyios Tzatzimakis (GRE), Callum Wilkinson (GBR) in 4:20.
At 2km: Salih Korkmaz (TUR) takes the lead with Gabriel Bordier (FRA) in (8:24 - 4:06). Followed by Mizinov (ANA), Shumik (UKR), Wilkinson (GBR), Zabuzhenko (UKR) in 8:26. Behind them Coppini (ITA) in 8:27.
At 3km: four at the top of the race at 12:32 (4:08) (Bordier, FRA - Korkmaz, TUR, Mizinov, ANA and Wilkinson, GBR). Followed by Shumik (UKR) and Zabuzhenko (UKR) in 12:34
At 4km: Always Salih Korkmaz leads the race (16:32 - 4.00) and the group of pursuers is now composed of 4 athletes (Bordier, Mizinov, Wilkinson and Zabuzhennko) which pass in 16:37. Just behind them, Shumik, Manuel Bermudez and Yeordyios Tzatzimakis (GRE) who is charged by two red cards per contact.
At 5km: Always Salih Korkmaz (20:33 - 4:01) leading the race with 10" advantage over the immediate followers. He approached the head group Cameron Corbishley (GBR - 21:06)
Shortly after 5 km Yeordyios Tzatzimakis (GRE) is disqualified: four red cards of loss of contact.
Second 5 km
At 6km: Salih Korkmaz (24:35 - 4:02) continues to lead the race. Now his advantage over Mizinov (ANA), Bordier (FRA), Wilkinson (GBR), Zabuzhenko (UKR) is 13". More behind Shumik (UKR) in 24:57 and Manuel Bermudez (ESP) in 25:08. A red card arrives (loss of contact) against Callum Wilkinson (GBR) and one (bent knee) against Niccolò Coppini (ITA)
At 7km: Salih Korkmaz (28:34 - 3:59) still in the lead, but behind Callum Wilkinson (GBR) and Vasiliy Mizinov (ANA) in 28:28, they cut Zabuzhenko (UKR) in 28:50 and Bordier (FRA ) in 28:55.
Even the other Italian Ettore Grillo has a red card (bent knee), while the Frenchman David Kuster, who at the start of the season did sparks indoors, has two (bent knee).
At 8km: Always in the head Salih Korkmaz (32:29 - 3:55). Followed by 20" Callum Wilkinson (GBR) and Vasiliy Mizinov (ANA). Behind them Zabuzhenko (32:54) and then Bordier (33:11). Cameron Corbishley is also burdened by a red card (loss of contact), but Callum Wilkinson is worse: two red cards, his race is now at risk.
At 9km: Always in the head Salih Korkmaz (36:25 - 3:56). Followed at 25" by Callum Wilkinson (GBR) and Vasiliy Mizinov (ANA) also with a red card (loss of contact). With a delay of 1:00 Zabuzhenko (37:00) passes by followed by Manuel Bermudez and Viktor Shumik in 37:35. Arrive the second red card against Cameron Corbishley (loss of contact).
At half of the race: Salih Korkmaz (40:20 - 3:55) always in the lead. Vasiliy Mizinov (40:52) breaks the delay and forces over Callum Wilkinson (40:53). They are followed by Zabuzhenko (41:04), Bermudez (41:46), Shumik (41:49 and Corbishley (42:06).
Third 5 km
At 11km: Always in the head Salih Korkmaz (44:14 - 3:56). Followed by Vasiliy Mizinov (44:56) and Callum Wilkinson (44:57) followed by Zabuzhenko (45:12), Bermudez (45:56), Shumik (46:05) and Corbishley (46:19)
At 12km: Always in the head Salih Korkmaz (48:10 - 3:56). Followed by Vasiliy Mizinov (48:57) and Callum Wilkinson (49:03) and then by Zabuzhenko (49:21), Bermudez (50:07), Shumik (50:22) and Corbishley (50:33). The second red cards (bent knee) arrives against Coppini (ITA) and Dominik Cerny SVK arrive, but they are far from the top positions.
At 13km: Always in the head Salih Korkmaz (52:08 - 3:58). Followed by Vasiliy Mizinov (53:01) and Callum Wilkinson (53:13) and then by Zabuzhenko (53:32), Bermudez (54:15), Shumik (54:39) and Corbishley (54:44) which was reached by Abdulselam Imuk (TUR) and Ivan Lopez (ESP).
At 14km: Always in the head Salih Korkmaz (56:09 - 4:01). Followed by Vasiliy Mizinov (57:03) who by now has detached 20 "Callum Wilkinson (57:23). Behind them: Zabuzhenko (57:45), Bermudez (58:24), Corbishley (58:57) along with Abdulselam Imuk (TUR), Viktor Shumik (UKR) and Ivan Lopez (ESP).
At 15km: Always in the head Salih Korkmaz (1:00:10 - 4:01). Second position for Vasiliy Mizinov (1:01:08 - +0 58) followed by Callum Wilkinson (1:01:33) and then by Eduard Zabuzhenko (1:02:00), Manuel Bermudez (1:02:37) . More distant Corbishley (1:03:11) Imuk (1:03:12) but he has two red cards against him.
Last 5 km
At 16km: Always in the head Salih Korkmaz (1:04:16 - 4:06). In second position Vasiliy Mizinov (1:05:16 - +1: 00) followed by Callum Wilkinson (1:05:46 - +1: 30). Behind them Eduard Zabuzhenko (1:06:17), Manuel Bermudez (1:06:49). More distant Absulselam Imuk and Ivan Lopez (1:07:30). Cameron Corbishley has been stopped in Penalty Area (loss of contact).
At 17km: Always in the head Salih Korkmaz (1:08:20 - 4:04). In second position Vasiliy Mizinov (1:09:21 - +1 01) followed by Callum Wilkinson (1:09:57 - +1: 37). Behind them Eduard Zabuzhenko (1:10:38), Manuel Bermudez (1:11:03). More distant Absulselam Imuk (1:11:51) and Ivan Lopez (1:11:51).
At 18km: Always in the head Salih Korkmaz (1:12:38 - 4:18). The fatigue is felt for Korkmaz in this round and Vasiliy Mizinov (1:13:36) goes to 58" followed by Callum Wilkinson (1:14:07). The fight for the medal seems to be over, because Eduard Zabuzhenko (1:15:01) is quite distant.
Behind him Manuel Bermudez (1:15:22), Absulselam Imuk (1:16:08) and Ivan Lopez (1:16:12).
At 19km: Always in the head Salih Korkmaz (1:17:10 - 4:42) but in full crisis. Now only 33" separate him from Mizinov (1:17:43). For the bronze Callum Wilkinson is fairly quiet in 1:18:09.
Behind them Eduard Zabuzhenko (1:19:28), Manuel Bermudez (1:19:48).
In the last 1km, everything happens.
Vasiliy Mizinov (ANA) goes to catch for Salih Korkmaz and joins him, despite having suffered the second red card by loss of contact. He overcomes it and goes on to win in 1:21:29
Salih Korkmaz (TUR) must be satisfied with silver, after he had dreamed of gold all through the race, in 1:21:32, which however represents Turkey's national record.
Bronze to Callum Wilkinson (GBR) in 1:22:13
Fourth place to Eduard Zabuzhenko (UKR) in 1:23:54
Fifth place to Manuel Bermudez (ESP) in 1:24:17
Sixth place to Absulselam Imuk (TUR) in 1:24:34 personal best
Seventh place to Dzmitry Lukyanchuk (BLR) in 1:24:41
Eighth place to Ivan Lopez (ESP) in 1:24:59
A few words about Italian athletes:
Giacomo Brandi arrives 14th in 1:28:36, compared to the personal best of 1:26:03 (obtained in Podebrady, CZE on 7.4.2018) and the season best of 1:27:06 obtained in La Coruna last month - 8.6.2019.
Niccolò Coppini arrives 15th in 1:29:18, compared to the personal best and season best of 1:27:11 (obtained in La Coruna last month - 8.6.2019).
Ettore Grillo arrives 18th in 1:37:44, compared to personal best and season best of 1:26:36 (obtained in Podebrady, CZE on 6.4.2019
Something more was expected from them, even considering their technical situation, which saw them all end up charged by one or two red cards .
On the other hand, the test of the only woman in the race, Lidia Barcella, who finished close to her personal best (1:37:43) was very positive, but above all she brought home an excellent sixth place. Congratulations !